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From the category archives: Opinions

JOHN CONNELLY

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 15, 2015

In this week's Second Reading we are offered this challenge, "Do everything for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10.31). How can you and I fulfill this scripture? How do we do everything for God's glory? We can start by thinking about all our daily actions. Each thing we do is important. Actions that are small or large, honest or dishonest, good or bad. St. Ignatius of Loyola saw the purpose of his life in the maxim: "For the greater glory of God." Something that glorifies God is in tune with his truth and love. It must be in tune with the ultimate reality underlying all creation – God.

JOHN CONNELLY

Baptism of the Lord
January 11, 2014

In Matthew 3.17, we read these words about the moment John the Baptist baptized Jesus: "Suddenly there was a voice from heaven, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.'" The Baptism of the Lord is a profound moment, not only for Jesus, but for each one of us. It speaks to us of the reality that Jesus was and is the beloved Son of the Father. As Christians, we share in the deepest possible level with that identity. We too are now beloved sons and daughters of God our Father. It is easy to say that this idea of being God's sons and daughters is true. It is another thing to live this truth in our lives.

JOHN CONNELLY

Third Sunday in Advent
December 14, 2014

In this week's Second Reading St. Paul offers these inspired words, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5.17). Imagine if we actually did this. What if we all made prayer the continual focus of our lives? It is easy to say that everything we do is prayer. But we can dig deeper into this mystery of constant prayer. The Catholic Catechism says, "Prayer is a vital necessity. Proof from the contrary is no less convincing: If we do not allow the Spirit to lead us, we fall back into the slavery of sin. How can the Holy Spirit be our life if our heart is far from him?" (2744).

JOHN CONNELLY

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 16, 2014

Talents. We all have them. Some are used, some undeveloped, some buried completely. The parable of the talents reminds us we are here for a purpose. Are we living the mission we are created to live? Are we using our talents to shine the light of Christ in our world today? All of us have probably wondered if the life we are living is the one we are destined to live. We question God and question ourselves.

JOHN CONNELLY

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 6, 2014

The prophet Isaiah writes these blunt words: "I am the Lord and there is no other, there is no God besides me." This is politically incorrect. Today many would prefer a God who is not so direct. A God who is open to the possibility of other gods according to each person's individual taste and liking. A God who conforms to the twisted logic of the world in which we live.

JOHN CONNELLY

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 21, 2014

One truth is inescapable: We will all face reality in the end. Whatever we have made of our lives will be known. As human beings we can deny reality but we cannot escape it. Reality is not something we make up or produce on our own.

JOHN CONNELLY

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 13, 2014

I am sitting here drinking my morning coffee with my young son Nicholas snuggling me and looking over my shoulder as I type these words. It is an ordinary moment and it is also extraordinary. Nicholas is a true character. Last night he slept alone in a tent on our land. This says a lot about who God is. God creates each one of us uniquely because he loves authentic diversity. We are all different because we each have a personal mission. A specific mission with specific gifts and talents to fulfill a specific purpose.

JOHN CONNELLY

Trinity Sunday
June 15, 2014

There is a simple law that governs all human existence. It is a reality that we should think about and ponder daily. St. Augustine stated it this way: "Whatever we contemplate, we become." When we contemplate something, we take it inside us. It becomes part of us and has a profound effect on who we are. The word "contemplate" means to gaze upon something, to allow something to occupy our mind and heart.

JOHN CONNELLY

Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 18, 2014

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus says, "Behold, I make all things new" (21.5). We should all take comfort in these life-giving words. Jesus takes the old and, through his divine and saving power, makes it new. Yesterday, I was present in the hospital as my father Pat Connelly passed away. It was a dramatic reminder of the need for the saving power and presence of God. As I reflect on Dad's death, I am amazed by how short this life really is.

JOHN CONNELLY

Easter Sunday
April 20, 2014

Jesus is risen! This is the sacred cry of the Church in this holy season. We celebrate the reality that Jesus has overcome death so that we might all have eternal life. The question we need to ask ourselves is – Is Jesus risen in me? Is he alive in me today?